Fellow high-flyers MK Dons and Huddersfield were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, while Preston claimed an impressive victory at Brentford and Notts County overcame Stevenage.

Leyton Orient's miserable start to the season continues as they were beaten at home by Oldham, Bournemouth defeated Exeter and Hartlepool cruised to victory against Bury.

Charlton looked as though they would have to settle for a point from their trip to Spotland after throwing away a 2-0 lead against Rochdale, only for Danny Hollands to bag the winner with his second of the game 10 minutes from time.

Sheffield United struck twice in the opening 12 minutes through Ched Evans and Chris Porter to set them on their way to victory over Colchester, with Stephen Quinn adding the third after the interval.

Mellor brace

Neil Mellor bagged a brace for Preston as they claimed an important three point haul from their testing trip to Brentford.

Leon Clarke claimed a hat-trick for Chesterfield as they cruised to a 4-1 home success against a Carlisle side who had previously been unbeaten on their travels.

Bournemouth were victorious against fellow strugglers Exeter with Wes Thomas on target before the break and Richard Duffy's late own goal settling the contest.

Colin Nish scored twice and veteran Nolberto Solano was also on target as Hartlepool continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 home victory against Bury.

Leyton Orient remain rooted to the foot of the League One table as, despite taking the lead at home to Oldham, they suffered a second-half collapse to go down 3-1 at Brisbane Road.

Hughes

Early promotion hopefuls MK Dons and Huddersfield played out a 1-1 draw with Dean Lewington on target after the interval to cancel out Scott Arfield's opener.

Striker Lee Hughes remains a regular source of goals for Notts County and he was again on target in their 2-0 success away to Stevenage, with Ben Burgess also finding the net.

Enoch Showunmi and Ash Taylor were the men on the mark for Tranmere in their 2-0 triumph over Wycombe at Prenton Park.

Jimmy Ryan bagged a last-gasp leveller for Scunthorpe United in their trip to Walsall, with three of the game's four goals coming in the final 12 minutes.

Sheffield Wednesday had to come from behind to overcome Yeovil, with Julian Bennett and Gary Madine on target after the interval.